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PODCAST

Language & Travel Hacking

Fluent in 3 Months

International best-selling author and nomadic polyglot Benny Lewis shares his real experiences and advice while on-the-road about travel and language learning. Learn more at: https://www.fluentin3months.com/podcast/

education language learning

All Episodes

8:59

Juggling and maintaining multiple languages

Language & Travel Hacking ·

2025/06/30

In this episode of the Language and Travel Hacking Podcast, I dive into the age-old polyglot problem: how do you maintain multiple languages without losing your mind—or your fluency? I share how, over the last 22 years, I’ve followed a cycle of learning one language intensively for a short burst—usually around three months—and then spending the rest of the year maintaining my other languages. It’s not just about adding new ones indefinitely. Instead, I’ve found ways to rotate focus, whether

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15:31

Thoughts after 4 months of deep travels through...

Language & Travel Hacking ·

2025/06/23

In this episode of the Language and Travel Hacking Podcast, I wrap up my incredible four-month journey through Indonesia, recording from Medan in North Sumatra before heading back to Bali for my final weeks. I reflect on just how vast this country is—highlighted by the fact that a flight back to Bali takes me four hours and still doesn’t even cover the full length of the nation. From Java to Sulawesi, from Borneo to Sumatra, I’ve had the privilege of immersing myself in the warmth and

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11:20

The disadvantage of intensive language learning projects

Language & Travel Hacking ·

2025/06/18

In this episode, I open up about the biggest downside of my three-month language missions: how quickly I forget the language afterward. As I wrap up Indonesian, I can already feel some of it slipping. This isn’t new — I’ve seen it happen with Hungarian, Arabic, and Japanese. Without regular use, a lot fades within weeks or months. That’s the “half-life” of language learning in action.Still, I fully stand by this approach. It’s ideal for nomads and travelers who want to go deep, fast. And if

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10:13

Is travelling alone... lonely?

Language & Travel Hacking ·

2025/06/12

In this episode of the Language and Travel Hacking Podcast, I dive into one of the questions I get asked most often: is solo travel lonely? To answer that, I compare two contrasting experiences—my current quiet week in Sulawesi, Indonesia, and a past trip to Ibiza during the off-season. In Sulawesi, I’ve barely interacted with anyone, yet I feel completely content because I chose this solitude after a socially intense week in Borneo. Meanwhile, in Ibiza, I wanted to meet people but

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6:42

Your 2025 Summer language project

Language & Travel Hacking ·

2025/05/29

What if you could finally crack your language goals this summer—in just 90 days? In this episode, I’m sharing why summer is the ultimate season for language learning, and how you can turn June through August into your most productive language sprint ever. Plus, to help you get started, I’ve launched the biggest site-wide sale I've ever done at Fluent in 3 Months: 50% off all courses and $100 off the Bootcamp. Whether you're aiming to escape intermediate hell, build confidence, or finally

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9:28

The Day I Made a Friend Entirely Through Indonesian

Language & Travel Hacking ·

2025/05/26

In this episode of the Language and Travel Hacking Podcast, I’m checking in from deep in the jungles of Borneo — or Kalimantan, as it’s called here in Indonesia — surrounded by orangutans, dense rainforest, and the kind of real-life language immersion I’ve been aiming for since the start of this journey. After nearly five months exploring the country, including a two-month trek across Java and a recent stay in Batam with $30 ocean views (just across the water from pricey Singapore), I’m

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10:25

Time to ditch Duolingo

Language & Travel Hacking ·

2025/05/05

In this episode, I finally say what I’ve tiptoed around for years: it’s time to delete Duolingo. With their recent decision to replace 148 courses with 100% AI-generated content, I can no longer recommend it—not even as a “better than nothing” option. The app was already more about dopamine than meaningful learning, and now with zero human input, the quality has dropped even further.Instead, I share better alternatives that actually help you make progress—like using Anki for tailored vocab,

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9:05

The language talent myth

Language & Travel Hacking ·

2025/04/21

In this episode, I dive into the myth of “language talent” and why believing in it can seriously hold you back. I’ve struggled with comparing myself to others—especially those polished videos on YouTube or TikTok where someone speaks flawlessly and makes it all look effortless. But the truth is, you're only seeing a tiny, edited snapshot of their journey.I don’t consider myself naturally talented at languages. I come from an engineering background, and every language I’ve learnt has taken

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9:36

The confidence plateau

Language & Travel Hacking ·

2025/04/14

In this episode, I talk about the “confidence plateau” I’ve hit while learning Indonesian during my travels in Java. Even though I know the language fairly well, I often catch myself switching to English because of self-doubt. It’s not that I don’t understand—it’s that I tell myself I don’t, and that hesitation stops me from properly engaging in the conversation. Most of my interactions are really brief, which makes it harder to build the momentum I need to feel confident.To break through

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7:58

Month 2 Language Project update

Language & Travel Hacking ·

2025/03/17

After two intense months of studying Indonesian—dedicating up to eight hours a day, seven days a week—I’m excited to share my progress in this episode of the Language and Travel Hacking Podcast. I’ve reached a solid B1 level, able to hold conversations with patient speakers using formal Indonesian. Skipping Bali’s beaches and parties to focus entirely on learning has paid off, and I’m now ready to take my skills beyond structured lessons and into real-world interactions. With a spontaneous,

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5:44

Your language learning space: A simple but effective...

Language & Travel Hacking ·

2025/03/10

In this episode, I share a simple but effective language learning tip that has helped me stay focused throughout my travels: creating a dedicated study space. Whether it’s a specific table at home, a quiet café, or a co-working space, having a designated environment for language learning helps eliminate distractions and puts my brain in "study mode." I make a point to stay away from my laptop, as it tends to pull me into work or entertainment, and I’ve even set up my phone to block

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13:29

The benefits of AI for language learners

Language & Travel Hacking ·

2025/03/04

In this episode of Language and Travel Hacking, I share how AI has supercharged my language learning. While it won’t replace real practice, it’s a game-changer for mnemonics. Before AI, coming up with memory aids was slow—now I drop words into ChatGPT or Gemini and get instant, creative mnemonics across multiple languages. One gem? The Indonesian pemerintah (government) sounds like “pay my rent”—and now I’ll never forget it!AI also helps me break down words into roots and patterns, making

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10:13

Solving the listening comprehension problem

Language & Travel Hacking ·

2025/02/24

In this episode, I share my biggest challenge in learning Indonesian—listening comprehension. While I can read well and converse with teachers, real-life conversations at natural speed remain a struggle. With my upcoming travels in Java, improving my listening skills has become my top priority.A common mistake is jumping straight into native content like TV or radio, which can be overwhelming. Instead, I use a structured approach with a language learning podcast by Innovative Language. Each

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13:04

Month 1 update on my 2025 intensive language learning...

Language & Travel Hacking ·

2025/02/17

I’m sharing my one-month update on my intensive Indonesian learning project. My goal has been to reach at least a B1 level before starting four months of full immersion in Indonesia, and I’m happy to say that I’m well on track. Right now, I’m at a strong A2 (upper beginner) level, making very fast progress. Over the past month, I’ve been following a dedicated study routine, which includes 1–2 hours of Anki flashcards, coursebook study (Teach Yourself Indonesian and others), and language

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10:02

How I became an alien of extraordinary ability: US visas

Language & Travel Hacking ·

2025/02/10

In this episode, Benny shares his fascinating journey through the complex world of US visas, from his early days on a J-1 visa working summer jobs in New York to securing the infamous O-1 visa – better known as the ‘Alien of Extraordinary Ability’ visa. He reflects on how his blogging success and language-learning mission helped him qualify for this unique status, as well as the challenges of maintaining US residency while travelling the world.Benny also dives into the realities of the

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11:59

Future of travel: Go to popular places ASAP!

Language & Travel Hacking ·

2025/02/03

Hello and welcome to The Language and Travel Hacking Podcast! In this episode, I’m tackling a big question: How can you make the most of iconic travel destinations before they become impossible to enjoy?While I’ve talked about exploring off-the-beaten-track gems in the past, this time I’m focusing on the classics—Rome, Paris, Bali—those famous spots everyone dreams of visiting. But here’s the catch: these places are getting busier, pricier, and harder to navigate every year.I’ll share tips

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12:19

Future of travel: Avoiding the "hotspot problem"

Language & Travel Hacking ·

2025/01/29

Are you tired of crowded hotspots and skyrocketing travel costs? On this episode of The Language and Travel Hacking Podcast, I’m diving into the future of travel and tackling the “hotspot problem.” Recorded from bustling Bali, I’ll share my firsthand experience of how even off-peak seasons feel like peak season—and why this trend is happening globally.But here’s the good news: the world is full of hidden gems waiting to be discovered. I’ll explore how getting off the beaten track can lead

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8:42

Picking the right teacher for a language project

Language & Travel Hacking ·

2025/01/22

As part of my Indonesian project ahead of travelling through the country, I’ve been testing out different tutors to find one who truly suits my learning style. From filtering by dialect, availability, and budget on platforms like italki to booking trial lessons with multiple tutors in one week, I’ve refined a method that ensures I get the best fit for my needs. I’ll walk you through the steps, share my experiences, and explain why investing time in this process can make all the

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10:17

Kicking off my 2025 language learning project

Language & Travel Hacking ·

2025/01/17

I’m kicking off 2025 with a new language project: learning Bahasa Indonesia. I’ll be studying intensively in Bali for two months before exploring Java, Sumatra, Borneo, and beyond. Indonesian’s simplicity—no conjugations or noun genders—makes it one of the easiest languages I’ve started, but my focus isn’t on mastery. My goal is to reach a B1 conversational level, enabling independent travel and meaningful one-on-one interactions. Speaking is central to my strategy, and after just a few

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10:18

Saving money with the world's easiest language

Language & Travel Hacking ·

2024/12/16

In this episode, Benny shares his frugal travel plans for the upcoming New Year, featuring the Junulara Esperanto Renkontiĝo (Youth Esperanto Week) in Belgium. He explains how Esperanto events provide a unique mix of cultural immersion, affordable travel, and socializing with open-minded, language-loving individuals. From low-cost accommodation to vegan-friendly meals, Benny highlights the financial benefits of participating in such events, including how they transform school facilities

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270 results

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